Early Life and Education
Ashok Ramaji Uike was born on January 1, 1964, in Ghonsa, Wani Taluka, Yavatmal District, Maharashtra.
Political Career
Ashok Uike is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has been serving as the Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Ralegaon (ST) constituency since 2014. Uike succeeded Prof. Vasantrao Purke and has held his seat through subsequent elections, being re-elected in 2019.
Ministerial Positions
Ashok Uike served as the Minister of Tribal Development in the Maharashtra government from June 16, 2019, to November 12, 2019. During this tenure, he succeeded Vishnu Savara and was later succeeded by Kagda Chandya Padvi. He also held the position of President of the S.T. Morcha Maharashtra State from July 4, 2020, to July 8, 2023.
Major Achievements
- Minister of Tribal Development: During his short tenure, he focused on the welfare and development of tribal communities in Maharashtra.
- Public Service Initiatives: Uike has been actively involved in various public service initiatives, ensuring the effective implementation of government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ramai Awas Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat, among others. He has been vocal about the need for high-quality healthcare services in rural hospitals.
Key Political Initiatives
- Shasan Aplya Dari (Government at Your Doorstep): This initiative received overwhelming public response, addressing numerous grievances on the spot and ensuring their resolution within a defined timeframe. Beneficiaries were also provided with financial assistance during these events.
- Healthcare Advocacy: Uike has emphasized the importance of providing quality healthcare services at rural hospitals, urging medical officers to reduce the need for patient referrals and enhance in-house treatment capabilities.
Contributions
In the Ralegaon Assembly constituency?s Kalamb Taluka, the innovative ?Government at Your Doorstep? initiative was organized. Through this initiative, information and registration for various government schemes were provided, especially for the ?Ladki Behen Yojna?. Additionally, officials were instructed to understand and resolve citizens? issues and suggestions.
Social Media
Personal Life
Ashok Uike is married to Bina Uike, a businessperson. They reside in Yavatmal, Maharashtra.
Controversy
In Yavatmal district's Ralegaon, BJP MLA Dr. Ashok Uike faced criticism from local activists Sachin Gofane and Shankar Jawade over poor water quality. During a public meeting, the activists challenged Uike to drink the muddy water that villagers have to consume. Shankar even drank the dirty water in front of Uike, highlighting the failure of the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide clean water for the past two years. The incident, which went viral on social media, underscores the ongoing water issues and inadequate administrative response. (Loksatta)
MLA Ashok Uike faced condemnation from the tribal community in Nashik after making controversial remarks about the tribal identity. During a press conference in Trimbakeshwar, Uike stated that tribals are born Hindus, sparking outrage among the tribal community who accused him of betraying their identity. The community leaders criticized Uike, arguing that his comments disregarded constitutional provisions and Supreme Court rulings that distinguish tribal identity from Hinduism. This incident has heightened tensions and led to calls for BJP leadership to address the issue. (Sarkarnama)
Promises and Future Commitments
In Ralegaon, a fire truck was inaugurated in response to the demands of the city?s residents and farmers. Previously, fire trucks had to be called from Yavatmal and Wani, causing delays and resulting in loss of life and property. The new fire truck will benefit the citizens and farmers, especially considering Ralegaon?s cotton market and the surrounding population.
In legislative assembly, it was requested that compensation be provided to farmers in the Ralegaon constituency who suffered crop damage due to heavy rains but did not file complaints. Additionally, it was suggested that chickpea crops, which are widely grown in Babhulgaon taluka, be included under crop insurance. Furthermore, a recommendation was made to the central government to ensure better prices for the high-quality cotton produced in the Ralegaon area.
